U.S. stock futures are pointing to a higher open on Thursday, February 12, 2026, as investors digest a fresh batch of corporate earnings and look ahead to crucial economic data. This premarket optimism follows a mixed session on Wall Street yesterday, where major indexes edged lower despite a stronger-than-expected jobs report, which influenced expectations for the Federal Reserve's next policy moves.

Premarket Trading Activity and Futures Movements

As of early Thursday, stock index futures are showing modest gains across the board. S&P 500 futures (SPX) rose approximately 0.3%, while Nasdaq 100 futures (US100:IND) advanced around 0.3%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (INDU) also climbed roughly 0.3%. This upward movement in futures suggests a potential rebound for the main indexes after Wednesday's slight declines.

Several individual stocks are making notable moves in premarket trading. Data center operator Equinix (EQIX) surged approximately 8.64% after its 2026 revenue guidance surpassed analyst estimates. Memory-chip maker Micron Technology (MU) also saw a gain of about 3.36%. Conversely, Cisco Systems (CSCO) shares tumbled around 7.74% after the networking equipment provider issued a weaker-than-expected profitability forecast for the current quarter, raising concerns about the impact of rising memory-chip prices. Other decliners included Rollins (ROL), down 12.50% after missing Q4 sales and profit targets, and Paycom Software (PAYC), which fell 8.22%. American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) shares ticked up about 0.8% in premarket trading after a nearly 5% drop in the prior session, as unions press the board for action on leadership and operations.

Current Performance of Major Market Indexes

On Wednesday, Wall Street experienced a slight pullback. The S&P 500 closed marginally lower by 0.01% at 6,941.47. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell 0.1% to 50,121.40, breaking a three-day winning streak. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) also dipped 0.2% to 23,066.47. These movements followed the release of a robust January jobs report, which showed U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs, significantly exceeding economists' forecasts, and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3%. This strong labor market data has led traders to scale back expectations for near-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, with the probability of holding rates steady climbing to nearly 40%.

Upcoming Market Events

The economic calendar for Thursday, February 12, 2026, includes the release of initial jobless claims and existing home sales data during market hours. These reports will provide further insights into the health of the U.S. economy and could influence market sentiment. Looking ahead, the next major economic indicator will be Friday's Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation report for January, which will be closely watched for any material changes in headline or core inflation rates that could impact the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook.

On the earnings front, several notable companies are scheduled to release their quarterly results today. These include Coinbase Global (COIN), Rivian Automotive (RIVN), Roku (ROKU), and DraftKings (DKNG). Investors will be scrutinizing these reports for insights into corporate performance and future guidance, particularly in sectors sensitive to economic shifts and consumer spending. The earnings season for Q4 2025 has shown signs of a strong recovery, especially in the banking and real estate sectors, reinforcing expectations of increased corporate profits in 2026.

Major Stock News and Corporate Announcements

Beyond the broad market movements, several companies are in the news. McDonald's (MCD) shares saw a slight rise after the fast-food giant surpassed earnings estimates, attributing its strong performance to the re-launch of its Extra Value Meal. In the tech sector, concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) competition continue to impact software stocks, with some analysts noting a significant amount wiped off U.S. software stocks.

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) shares experienced a premarket decline after the satellite broadband company announced a multi-layered financing package, including a $1 billion convertible notes offering and a plan to repurchase existing debt. While strategically sound for long-term growth, the immediate market reaction highlighted dilution concerns for investors.

The broader market is still balancing expectations for economic growth against macroeconomic risks. The upward trend in U.S. stocks could positively influence global markets, though falling oil prices present a two-way impact depending on the sector. Gold prices edged lower as markets awaited U.S. economic reports, with the strengthening U.S. dollar putting downward pressure on precious metals and potentially affecting higher-risk assets.

In summary, Thursday's premarket trading indicates a positive start for U.S. equities, driven by ongoing corporate earnings reports and anticipation of key economic data. While the strong jobs report has tempered expectations for immediate Federal Reserve rate cuts, investors remain focused on inflation data and company-specific news to gauge the market's direction.